I've probably posted this previously in so many words, but I for one am delighted with the improvement in mileage I've seen in driving my 35d. My basis of comparison is my old gas fueled (4.4i) E53. In fairness, I probably shifted the 6 speed steptronic manually a lot more in the old car. Driving the Diesel, I notice that I can just leave the trans in sport mode and I don't need to shift manually very often. Anyway, I drive pretty much a 50/50 mix of flat freeway and mountain driving. I'm getting close to 30 MPG on the freeway, and around 17-20 in the hills. Both are much better than my old X5.

As for the 8 speed vs. 6 speed question, there is no doubt the 8 speed should yield better mileage and keep you running in the meat of the engine's powerband more of the time. But in the case of a diesel, I'm just not sure the 8 speed would do much to improve either the performance or mileage of a car with an engine that has 425lb ft of torque on tap. Comparing my car to my wife's 535i Xdrive with the 8 speed (300/300 gas engine) I totaly understand why the 8 speed rocks. But I'm not sure anyone with a diesel is missing to much by not having one.

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Current Fleet:
2018 328d Xdrive Sport Wagon
2011 X5 Xdrive 35d
1973 2002 tii
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Past loves:
2015 i3 REX
2011 535i Xdrive
2005 X5 4.4i
2003 530i
1999 528i
1995 525i